Tasting Notes
Astral by Benoît Doussot comes from south-facing vineyards rooted in clay-limestone with kimmeridgian bands, farmed without herbicides or synthetic inputs. The Pinot Noir was directly pressed, fermented with native yeasts and matured for a year in 600L French oak, before extended ageing sur lattes and release without dosage (disgorged September 2024). Extremely limited in production, this Blanc de Noirs carries both power and finesse, with vibrant fruit, precise detail and an energetic, finely tuned structure that keeps the wine lifted and alive. - Aaron C
Champagne Clandestin is an exciting, artisanal project that emerged in 2016 from a partnership between Bertrand Gautherot of the renowned Vouette & Sorbée estate and his right-hand man, the talented Burgundian-trained winemaker Benoît Doussot. The name "Clandestin" (meaning "secret" or "hidden" in French) aptly refers to their philosophy of salvaging and highlighting the potential of long-overlooked, west-facing vineyard parcels in the Côte des Bar that were previously considered inferior.
The focus of Clandestin is to produce pure, terroir-expressive Champagnes using exclusively organically and biodynamically farmed grapes sourced from around the village of Buxières-sur-Arce. They work with both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown on distinct Kimmeridgian and Portlandian soils, similar to those found in Burgundy's Chablis region. Doussot applies a minimalist, Burgundian-influenced winemaking approach to capture the essence of these unique sites.
| Product Type | Wine Sparkling Champagne |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| Sub Region | Cote des Bar |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |